Dozens or even hundreds of top students may be competing with you for major scholarships, so it is important to gain any edge possible. By carefully putting together your application packet, you can help give yourself that edge. Here’s how.
1. Type, don’t handwrite. A typed application always looks more professional.
2. Provide reference letters from professionals only. Letters of reference from employers and educators are best. References from co-workers, neighbors, etc. can only hurt you (even if they are glowing)…
3. Nobody wants to work harder than necessary, so make the scholarship judges’ job easy by making sure all of your documents are well organized and readable.
4. Provide all requested information. Don’t be verbose, but do be thorough and complete.
5. Get everything in at least ten days before the deadline. It will make you appear responsible and ambitious.
6. Clip all of your documents together (neatly!). Do not, under any circumstances, use staples. Then, put your packet in an attractive folder which is unlikely to get destroyed in the mail.
7. Mail the folder in a large envelope so nothing will have to be folded and everything will arrive looking crisp.
There are no guarantees, but these seven very simple tips can help separate your scholarship application from some of those not as carefully assembled. And, every little edge you can get may make the difference for you. Best wishes.
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